Retractor

Abstract

The retractor system for use in spinal surgery and other types of surgical procedures that is a simple and efficient solution for minimally invasive access to thoracolumbar spine is disclosed. The fully customizable design allows the surgeon to independently angle the retractor blades and expand the retractor in both cephalad-caudal and medial-lateral directions. With an offering of a range of blade lengths, access can be tailored to the patient's anatomy. Auxiliary instruments such as the retractor inserter, universal hex driver and blade removal instrument allow quick and controlled access to the surgical site. The retractor system provides versatility and control ensuring minimal tissue trauma.

1. A surgical retractor, comprising:
 a main body having a main body plane; 
 a right track assembly connected to the right side of the main body and configured to be movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the main body; 
 a left track assembly connected to the left side of the main body and configured to be movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the main body; 
 a right blade assembly comprising a right upper blade assembly connected to a right lower blade assembly; the right blade assembly connected to the right track assembly such that right blade assembly moves when the right track assembly moves; the right upper blade assembly including a first blade support and a first removable blade connected to the first blade support such that the first removable blade extends perpendicularly to the main body plane; the right lower blade assembly includes a second blade support and a second removable blade connected to the second blade support such that the second removable blade extends perpendicularly to the main body plane; 
 a left blade assembly comprising a left upper blade assembly connected to a left lower blade assembly; the left blade assembly connected to the left track assembly such that the left blade assembly moves when the left track assembly moves; the left upper blade assembly including a third blade support and a third removable blade connected to the third blade support such that the third removable blade extends perpendicularly to the main body plane in which the left blade assembly lies; the left lower blade assembly includes a fourth blade support and a fourth removable blade connected to the fourth blade support such that the fourth removable blade extends perpendicularly to the main body plane in which the left blade assembly lies; 
 wherein the right upper blade assembly includes a right mounting arm having a longitudinal axis and the right lower blade assembly is movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the right upper blade along the longitudinal axis of the right mounting arm; and 
 wherein the left upper blade assembly includes a left mounting arm having a longitudinal axis and the left lower blade assembly is movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the left upper blade along the longitudinal axis of the left mounting arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth blade supports are independently pivotable such that the attached blades are angled outwardly from their perpendicular orientation and back inwardly to their perpendicular orientation. 
     
     
       3. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the first and second blade supports are simultaneously pivotable such that the attached blades are angled outwardly from their perpendicular orientation and back inwardly to their perpendicular orientation; and the third and fourth blade supports are simultaneously pivotable such that the attached blades are angled outwardly from their perpendicular orientation and back inwardly to their perpendicular orientation. 
     
     
       4. The retractor of  claim 3  wherein the pivoting of the first and second blade supports is independent from the pivoting of the third and fourth blade supports. 
     
     
       5. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein one of the first, second, third, or fourth removable blades includes a channel for receiving an illuminator. 
     
     
       6. The retractor of  claim 1  further including at least one medial blade. 
     
     
       7. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the at least one medial blade is angled. 
     
     
       8. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the right and left mounting arms are angled within the general plane in which the right and left blade assemblies lie. 
     
     
       9. The retractor of  claim 1  further including a first pinion configured to incrementally extend the right lower blade assembly with turning of the pinion in one direction. 
     
     
       10. The retractor of  claim 9  further including a first gear lock configured to lock the incremental extension of the right lower blade assembly and to release the incremental extension for retracting the right lower blade assembly. 
     
     
       11. The retractor of  claim 9  further including a second pinion configured to incrementally extend the left lower blade assembly with turning of the second pinion in one direction. 
     
     
       12. The retractor of  claim 11  further including a second gear lock configured to lock the incremental extension of the left lower blade assembly and to release the incremental extension for retracting the left lower blade assembly. 
     
     
       13. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the right track assembly is coupled to the main body using a first track such that the main body moves along the first track, and wherein the left track assembly is coupled to the main body using a second track such that the main body moves along the second track. 
     
     
       14. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises a pinion which moves the right track assembly and the left track assembly when activated. 
     
     
       15. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises:
 a pinion which moves the right track assembly and the left track assembly when activated; and 
 a pinion lock which allows movement of the right track assembly and the left track assembly in a direction away from the main body using the pinion, wherein the pinion lock inhibits movement of the right track assembly and the left track assembly in a direction toward the main body using the pinion. 
 
     
     
       16. The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises:
 a pinion which moves the right track assembly and the left track assembly when activated; and 
 a pinion lock which allows movement of the right track assembly and the left track assembly in a direction away from the main body using the pinion, wherein the pinion lock inhibits movement of the right track assembly and the left track assembly in a direction toward the main body using the pinion, and wherein when the pinion lock is activated the pinion lock allows movement of the right track assembly and the left track assembly in a direction toward the main body using the pinion.